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algebra intermediate
Problem
Let and be integers. Suppose that the product of the solutions for of the equation is the smallest possible integer. What is ?
Solution
Rearranging logs, the original equation becomes By Vieta's Theorem, the sum of the possible values of is But the sum of the possible values of is the logarithm of the product of the possible values of . Thus the product of the possible values of is equal to .
It remains to minimize the integer value of . Since , we can check that and work. Thus the answer is .
It remains to minimize the integer value of . Since , we can check that and work. Thus the answer is .
Final answer
12